Comfort (LP)

Splashh

Amoeba Review

06/03/2013

Splashh’s debut record is too much fun, a super-soaked blast of distorted power pop that’s impossible to resist. Honestly, just try to put on a song like “All I Wanna Do” it without getting swept up in its minor-key melody and singalong lyrics — before you know it, you’ll be on your second, third, fourth listen, chanting along to sweet nonsense like “sweet cherry … extraordinary.” Though they follow a path well trodden, from the Pixies through Wavves’ recent Afraid of Heights, Splashh know their way around a familiar format. “Need It” has real shoegaze chops, more reminiscent of Swervedriver than Weezer. Slack-rocker “Vacation” pair watery guitars and a chorus like a sunnier take on Nirvana. And “Lemonade” rides sunrays shot out from its heavy bassline, only to come down with unexpected melancholy like light rain after a hot day. It’s hard not to play name-that-influence with Comfort, but anyone who likes this sort of thing shouldn’t care — not when the songs are this catchy and the delivery this strong, exuding easy confidence that wins you over. Jump in and enjoy.